Academic Program

Yonsei University’s Winter Abroad at Yonsei (WAY) program gives you the opportunity to learn more about Korea’s language and culture.

Course Descriptions and Syllabi

During the Winter Abroad at Yonsei (WAY) Program, you can take a minimum of 3 credits, and a maximum of 6 credits. Please note that 6 credits would be considered a heavy academic courseload on this program.  As a 3-week program, WAY courses are highly intensive and fast-paced.
• Classes meet for 150 minutes each day, five days a week  (Monday ~ Friday), for 3 weeks (45 in-class hours per course).
• Course requirements include a mid-term examination, a final examination, and often a term paper, although the choice remains up to individual professors.
Review Yonsei University’s website for more information regarding course offerings.

General Education Information for UAlbany Students

Credits earned on this program will automatically satisfy the International Perspectives requirement. Three credits of foreign language study will satisfy the Foreign Language requirement. No additional approval is required for you to earn these general elective credits.

Major/Minor Information for UAlbany Students

Courses may also satisfy major and minor requirements, upon approval by the department.

Transcript

All courses taken abroad count towards UAlbany General Elective credits. Credits and grades will appear on your UAlbany transcript. You may file a request to have additional courses approved for equivalency as necessary. 

Housing

• On-campus housing at Yonsei University is not guaranteed. Yonsei offers suggestions on alternative off-campus options OR you may arrange your own off-campus housing. 
• The two on-campus housing facilities available are the SK Global House and the International House. Both dormitories are located within walking distance to the Yonsei University campus. 
• The SK Global House is for both men and women and have single and double occupancy dorms. 
• The International House only has double occupancy dorms for women with shared bathrooms. 

Meals

There is no meal plan for this program. You may choose to purchase meals in the cafeteria, cook, or eat out at local restaurants.

Estimate of Costs

For reference, review the most recent estimate of costs. 

More Information

Click for more information on Program Costs and Financial Aid.
Remember to speak with the Office of Financial Aid at your home campus to determine how your aid package could apply towards your program abroad.

Academic Requirements

Sophomores, juniors, seniors, and exceptional freshmen in all majors, with at least a 2.0 GPA, are eligible to apply. Korean citizens are also eligible to apply. 
No previous Korean language study is required, but please note that the language course will be very fast-paced if you decide to take it.

Experiential Learning

The exciting learning environment of Winter Abroad at Yonsei continues outside the classroom with a variety of one-day excursions held on the weekends. Previous excursions included: 
• DMZ Tour: a visit to the demilitarized zone between South and North Korea
• Ski Tour: a one day trip to a nearby ski resort for a crash class on skiing
• Korean Cooking Class: a half-day cooking class and a tasting session at Korean Cuisine Cultural Center
Excursions are not included in your program charge.
Trips may be cancelled if less than 10 students sign up. Details of the trip may be modified due to weather and other conditions.

Funding Opportunities

Most financial aid and academic awards will apply to semester programs.
External scholarships, listed on our website, are a good way to partially fund your study abroad experience. In addition, the Center for International Education and Global Strategy offers two scholarship programs for UAlbany students studying abroad on UAlbany or 4-year SUNY programs.
More information on applying to these scholarships is located on the Scholarships web page.

Speak with an Advisor

About the City

Yonsei University’s main campus is in a spacious, picturesque, and natural setting, located minutes away from the economic, political, and cultural centers of Seoul’s metropolitan downtown area. Seoul is one of the leading and rising global cities in the world. It is also home to five UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and offers many temples and other cultural attractions.
Yonsei has 3,500 eminent faculty members who are conducting cutting-edge research across all academic disciplines. There are 21 graduate schools, 22 colleges and 131 subsidiary institutions hosting a selective pool of students from around the world.

Travel Documents

A valid passport is required to participate in this program. If you are a U.S. citizen, you are not required to obtain a visa in order to participate in this program.
For all other nationalities, please check with your government and the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea website to determine whether you are required to obtain a visa for this program. More information regarding the visa application process is available upon acceptance to the program.

Application Availability

• Winter: July

PROGRAM DATES

Winter 2023-2024

About the Program

Program Orientations

Upon acceptance to the program, you will be required to attend a mandatory pre-departure orientation. During this time, you will have the opportunity to meet other program participants, discuss in-depth the details of your program, and prepare of the overall education abroad experience. The fall semester pre-departure orientation will be conducted the Saturday before the end of Spring UAlbany classes and in late November/early December for the spring term abroad.
Upon arrival at Yonsei University, you will attend a mandatory program orientation. This is an important and informative set of sessions organized by International Office of your host university.

Support Services

UAlbany’s Office of Education Abroad staff assists you during the application process, in your preparation to travel abroad, and on-site if necessary.
Yonsei University's International Office staff serve as an experienced resource for resolving issues that you may encounter in while abroad.